"Are you going to add a Baskin-Robbins when you take the buildings down and build new ones?" asked Philip Quigley, 8, who misses the local ice cream shop that closed at the end of 2013. "You're going to have an awesome ice cream store," Caruso promised.

"Are you going to add a Baskin-Robbins when you take the buildings down and build new ones?" asked Philip Quigley, 8, who misses the local ice cream shop that closed at the end of 2013. "You're going to have an awesome ice cream store," Caruso promised. (Liz O. Baylen)

Pacific Palisades residents Sandy Marsh, left, and Howard Berman tell Caruso they favor his involvement and look forward to a revitalization of the community. They were among many residents who approached Caruso as he toured the area, eager to talk about the Palisades' future.

Pacific Palisades residents Sandy Marsh, left, and Howard Berman tell Caruso they favor his involvement and look forward to a revitalization of the community. They were among many residents who approached Caruso as he toured the area, eager to talk about the Palisades' future. (Liz O. Baylen)

Rick Caruso, the prominent developer known for such showy shopping centers as The Grove and the Commons at Calabasas, is poised to take over much of the Palisades' nearly moribund commercial center. What he should do with the choice sector has been the topic of heated debate, with some...